Our journey from the PNW to South Dakota

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Noble Inheritance

The most miraculous canyon in the West…a South Dakota treasure of noble inheritance. Had Spearfish Canyon been on the throughway to western migration, the canyon would be as significant in public appreciation as the Grand Canyon is today.

~ Frank Lloyd Wright, 1935

I’m certainly not going to dispute ol’ Frankie’s words. Spearfish Canyon is one of the most magical places in the Black Hills. We drove through here last October, on the way home from our whirlwind trip to Rapid City. There had been a fresh snowfall the night before – the first of the season – and the colors were vibrant. Today was so similar it felt like deja vu; there’d been a fresh snowfall overnight – the first of the season – and the colors were vibrant. Everything really does come full circle.

About that snow. It’s been really cold here – like, 20 degrees below average. Gray and rainy, too. Last night, forecasters were calling for 1-5″ of snow in the Black Hills. It was a cool 38 degrees in Rapid City this morning, and just ten minutes outside of town, the rain turned to snow.

Made for a beautiful drive.

When fall and winter collide, Part 1.

35 degrees meant the roads were wet but not slick.

Rapid City didn’t get any snow, but we came close. Literally.

Caution: wild turkey crossing.

This campground is closed for the season. Good thing.

When fall and winter collide, Part 2.

I had so much fun today! And to think it’s only September. We’re going to be flirting with snow for the next six months.

Bring it on.

I’m excited for tomorrow. Tara and I are planning our day around The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival in Rapid City. It’s supposedly the biggest downtown festival of the year and includes pumpkin catapulting, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, and a pub crawl. What’s not to love?! There are even pony rides, but dammit, I’m probably too old for those.

It’s definitely feeling like fall here, and this weekend is sure to add to the spirit!

“day was so similar it felt like deja vu; there’d been a fresh snowfall overnight – the first of the season – and the colors were vibrant. Everything really does come full circle.”

OMG Mark, I am sooooooooooooooooooooo jealous that you’ve seen SNOW already. That’s freaking AMAZING! And I wish to god it would get 38 degrees here. The coolest it’s been so far is like 65 degrees. However, today the heat and humidity is back. Oy vey! Maybe I should move to South Dakota!

GORGEOUS photographs! I would have thrown myself into that snow and rolled around in it like a dog!

“I had so much fun today! And to think it’s only September. We’re going to be flirting with snow for the next six months.

Bring it on.”

A-MEN!

And have fun at the pumpkin festival. Just today I was talking to someone at work and we planning a trip out to Swarthmore where they hold an Autumn festival starting soon. I can’t wait!

Oh and guess what? I already bought my baby pumpkins. I got them at Trader Joe’s last night. I got THREE of them!